Look: What Obama Did Immediately After Hearing Nancy Reagan Died Stunned Many

For once, the fault lines of partisanship were blurred as political figures from all sides paid tribute to former first lady Nancy Reagan, whose love for her husband was acted out on a grand world stage during his years in the White House and in the privacy of the shadows during his long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Even the Obama White House, which has opposed the political legacy of Ronald Reagan, set that aside for once to remember his first lady after Nancy Reagan died Sunday at the age of 94.

“Our former First Lady redefined the role in her time here. Later, in her long goodbye with President Reagan, she became a voice on behalf of millions of families going through the depleting, aching reality of Alzheimer’s, and took on a new role, as advocate, on behalf of treatments that hold the potential and the promise to improve and save lives,” said the official statement from President Obama and his wife.

“We offer our sincere condolences to their children, Patti, Ron, and Michael, and to their grandchildren. And we remain grateful for Nancy Reagan’s life, thankful for her guidance, and prayerful that she and her beloved husband are together again.”

Others added their voices in remember Nancy Reagan and the former president.

“President Reagan has been reunited with his wife and partner but America and the Reagan family have lost a woman of grace and strength,” said Ohio Gov. John Kasich. “A woman of strength and wit, Nancy Reagan’s dedication to our country was matched only by that of her husband. Theirs was one of our nation’s great love stories and a model of shared devotion to our country. America is stronger and better for their service.”

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“Nancy Reagan was totally devoted to President Reagan, and we take comfort that they will be reunited once more. George and I send our prayers and condolences to her family,” said former first lady Barbara Bush.

“Mrs. Reagan was fiercely loyal to her beloved husband, and that devotion was matched only by her devotion to our country,” said former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura. “Her influence on the White House was complete and lasting. During her time as first lady and since, she worked to fight drug abuse and raise awareness about breast cancer,” he said. “When we moved into the White House, we benefitted from her work to make those historic rooms beautiful. Laura and I are grateful for the life of Nancy Reagan, and we send our condolences to the entire Reagan family.”